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Salcombe RNLI lifeboat crew respond to Mayday call.

Lifeboats News Release

Salcombe's all-weather lifeboat crew (ALB) was launched at around 10pm on Wednesday (8 April) evening in response to a Mayday call from a 90-metre vessel situated 40 miles south of Salcombe. The vessel carried six people, one of whom required urgent medical attention due to an incident onboard.

RNLI/David Dancox

ALB Standing by
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Upon arrival, the lifeboat remained on standby while a paramedic from Coastguard Rescue Helicopter 924 was lowered onto the vessel. After assessing the injured crew member’s condition, it was determined that airlifting him for immediate transfer to Plymouth hospital was necessary.

A Dutch warship stood by at the scene and awaited the arrival of a tug to assume control of the casualty vessel and its remaining crew. Subsequently, the ALB crew were stood down and returned to station, arriving at 3:30am, where the lifeboat was refuelled and prepared for future operations.

RNLI/David Dancox

Navigated Course
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Key facts about the RNLI

The RNLI is the charity that saves lives at sea. Its volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service around the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland coasts. The RNLI operates 238 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and more than 240 lifeguard units on beaches around the UK and Channel Islands. The RNLI is independent of Coastguard and government and depends on voluntary donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service. Since the RNLI was founded in 1824, its lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved over 146,700 lives.

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For more information please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, TikTok and YouTube. News releases, videos and photos are available on the News Centre.

Contacting the RNLI - public enquiries

Members of the public may contact the RNLI on 0300 300 9990 (UK) or 1800 991802 (Ireland) or by email.

About the author

David Dancox
Lifeboat Press Officer, Salcombe Lifeboat Station

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